The Office Christmas Party

Last year they asked me to come up with an idea for the Christmas Party for the executive team at the Marriott. Why me you ask? Good question. I'm not a drinker so I don't know where to go for that and I'm not really a partier in the true Marriott sense so I'm not really sure where to go for that - but I do like to get together with friends and have a good time. My choice last year was to go to the Royal Albert Hall, have dinner and then attend a performance of Cirque de Soleil. Everyone had a great time (although there were a few complaints about the 'drinking' situation). But it must not have been all bad as once again Jeff (that was what happened last year also) was asked to head up the Christmas party team again this year. That particular assignment was not delegated to me this year but I was in on the secret. So last Wednesday we were picked up at the Marriott by drivers who knew our destination and passengers who did not. There was a little uneasiness going around - especially since dressing up was not required and Jeff (the teetotaler) was in charge. We headed over across the Thames and found ourselves in a beautifully decked kitchen with 3 chefs who were going to help us prepare our own Italian meal - from S C R A T C H !!!! The menu included 2 different kinds of pasta, a chicken dish, squach wrapped in pancetta, roasted potatoes, a chocolate log and orange something or other. The wine was free flowing so no one felt too cheated on that front and we ended up having a great time, cooking, talking, laughing and EATING. The pasta was amazing, especially the spicy, tomatoey based one. And I learned how to make the rolled chicken with sage, pancetta and parmesan cheese. I'll make some for you next time we get together. It was a great evening and a nice change from the usual. Bravo Jeff and Marianne.